Capitals invite greats back into WNBL for season boost

NEWS - Carrie Graf will not be re-applying for the role of Opals coach, but will become the UC's first coach in residence, Bruce, Canberra. 14th February 2013. Photo by, Colleen Petch of The Canberra Times.

Sport
Canberra Capitals vs Bendigo Spirit at Canberra Stadium. Jess Bibby's last game and Carrie Grafs last game as coach.
Carrie Graf
20 February 2015
Photo: Rohan Thomson
The Canberra Times

Spot the Carly Wilson ahead of her final game in Canberra for the Capitals. They're turning the game pink for her favourite colour. They also have Carly Wilson face masks. Photo by Karleen Minney.

Carly Wilson says her transition into coaching is a fresh start after 363 WNBL games, but the Canberra Capitals are going back to the future to tap into the brain of the club's most successful leader.

Capitals coach Paul Goriss is set to invite his predecessor and seven-time championship-winning mentor Carrie Graf into team's inner sanctum as a pre-season motivation tool.

Graf, who has the most wins of any coach in WNBL history, put her career on hold almost two years ago to focus on family life.

The former Australian Opals mentor is regarded as one of the most respected coaching figures in women's sport, and Goriss is keen to give his new-generation squad a taste of Graf's success.

Goriss has added former Capitals skipper Wilson to his coaching panel to work with fellow former player Peta Sinclair when the WNBL season starts on October 6.

The Capitals have recruited seven-time title-winner Nat Hurst for the season, but there is a major gap in finals experience in the rest of the playing group.

That's why Graf, Wilson and Sinclair will play pivotal roles in Canberra's hopes of ending a six-year finals drought.

"I've got to talk to [Graf] over the next couple of weeks, there are some people I want to bring in to get former Capitals and coaches to talk to the girls in the pre-season," Goriss said.

"Part of motivation, but also the girls understanding what the people have done before them.

"There are a lot of Capitals still in Canberra that are either successful business people or in the sporting area, hearing their stories as a Capital is something I think is important."

WNBL life member Wilson retired at the end of last season, calling time on an almost 20-year career before being lured back by a coaching opportunity.

Goriss has a vision of grooming Sinclair or Wilson to be a future head coach as part of his "imprint" on the organisation whenever he finishes his tenure.

Wilson is excited at the chance to be involved in moulding a new-look squad, which starts its season against Bendigo at the National Convention Centre.

"I'm not missing playing at all, I'm not missing running from work and being late to training," Wilson said.

"But I do actually miss the game and miss being involved. I felt like I was ready to give back a little bit, and I feel like I do have stuff I can contribute this season from the sideline.

"If I didn't do it this season ... I wanted to do it while it felt like it was the right time."

It is hoped the WNBL will rise from the ashes this year after being exiled from national television coverage in recent seasons.

Games will be broadcast on Fox Sports as part of a new condensed season, with the regular season to finish at the end of December.

Sinclair, a three-time WNBL champion, said Graf was a major part in her transition to coaching after finishing her playing career.

"I think I make a better assistant coach at this point in my career and that's something I hope to build on," Sinclair said.

"We're trying to get former players to come back in and instil the culture we used to have at the Capitals. It's going really well so far ... I'd love to get back to that point where we're a championship-winning program."